The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-06-16
BEN KENNISON'S BEAR.
A Rather Expensive Luxury Won
at q Rattle.

Ben Kennison lived in Canada, near a
city on the northern border of Lake On
tario. at time when the city was small
place, compared with its present size.
Perhaps, should this true story meet
his eye, as he sits in his sanctum-for
Benis city editor now-he will wonder
by what strange chance the story
reached the public eye.
His father was pioneer in that part
of Canada. But hard work and thrift
had given him success, and he was now
wealthy, as wealth went in those days.
Being man of taste and culture, he
began to gather many comforts around
him which other farmers could not af-
ford. He was very ingenious in the
conveniences about his barn, and
careful of his stock, for he liked to
hear it said that William Ken
nison had the best horses and the
finest harnesses in that part of the coun-
try. Indeed, some of the farmers said
that his barn was finer than his house,
and that his equipments were fit for a
nabob. 1t will soon appear why am
so particular in speaking about the be-
1ongings of the barn.
The granary was, perhaps, the finest
part of the barn. 1t was built of ceiled
wood, and here hung, among other use
full articles, three or four handsome
wolf robes, beautiful double and sin
gle harness, with silver-plated trim
mings and a number of fine whips
which Mr.. Kennison had purchased at
various times.
Ben was the youngest of the seven
Sons of Mr.. KennisOn, and at the time
of this story was fifteen years of age.
He was a mischievous boy, and never
so happy as when he was getting some
body into trouble, although he knew
that he would suffer for it afterward,
for his father believed implicitly that
the sparing of the rod spoiled the child.
One day Mr.. Kennison found it neces-
sary to leave town for week, and he
seldom left without warning Ben that
should he not behave himself well
during his absence. they would have an
account to settle Immediately upon his
return. Mr.. Kennison on this occasion
exacted variety of promises from Ben,
which for two or three days the boy
actually kept. What with the work
about the barn which was assigned to
him, and the fishing, he found his time
fully occupied.
But on the third day, as he was stroll
ing down the road, not far from the
barn, he came upon knot of men,
grouped about man who was leading
n small brown bear. The bear-leader
said that he was going to rattle off the
animal at the city, some three miles
away, that afternoon. He had been
selling chances. and the last ticket
could be bought for a dollar.
Itwas unfortunate for Ben that he had
dollar at this time, for he took ticket
and promptly paid for it. During the
afternoon he slipped away and went to
the city.
The drawing of the lottery-for such
It was-was done in the usual way.
Numbers representing all those held by
the purchasers of tickets were put into
hat; a man shut his eyes and drew>
one. The prize had fallen to Ben Ken
nison. He was the owner of bear.
1t had never occurred to Ben until
that moment that he had no use for the
animal-not an uncommon experience
for those who engage in games of
chance. He looked at the ugly brute
rs he sat on his launches. AS the bear
gazed at him, his new master, Ben fan
cied that the homely beast was wonder
ing how boy about Ben's size would
taste for supper.
"What shall l do with him?" he asked
of the man.
30, 1 am going by your house and
will put him in the barn for you," the
man replied.
Ben was glad to have so much re-
sponsibiiity taken off his mind, and the
two started off together, the man lead
ing the bear, and occasionally rapping
him over the nose with club when the
animal seemed inclined to be too
familiar. Ben kept we'll in the rear.
and skipped back nimbly whenever
Bruin showed disposition to embrace
him.
They reached the farm at a time
when nobody happened to be near.
After some thought, Ben concluded to
have him put into the granary As the
sequel proved, he could not have done
worse. But the granary was seldom
visited at this time of the year, and he
thought the bear would be quite out of
the way there. So the man drove Bruin
into the granary, shut the door, and
went away, and Ben was the sole owner
of bear.
Somehow, he didn't feel proud of his
purchase. Games of chance were not
in favor with the family, and his sue
cessful venture had brought him prize
that seemed likely to prove both expen-
sive and dangerous.
81 don't reckon it's so much of a
thing to own bear all by yourself"
he said, as he scratched his head. Il
don't really understand how L came to
draw him. reckon he'll behave him
self in there, and not go to work and
scare all the horses out of the country.
Wonder what father will say when he
sees that bear? Reckon maybe he'll
say he'll tan my hide -